Relay device for handler for electronic component testing and method of operation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a relay device for a handler for electronic component testing and an operating method. The relay device for a handler for electronic component testing according to the present invention is used to relay electronic components from a customer tray to a tester or from the tester to the customer tray, and includes a setting rack on which an electronic component is placed on an upper surface, a gripper which grips both ends of a rear end portion of an adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack, a supporter which supports or releases an electronic component placed on the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack, or a suction device which vacuum-sucks and fixes a front end portion of the adapter placed on the setting rack, and an opener which opens the adapter fixed by the gripper. According to the present invention, an electronic component which is bent or has a processing tolerance during a manufacturing process can be properly seated on the adapter, thereby preventing a poor operation during the relaying process, and the final electronic component can be accurately electrically connected to the tester, thus improving reliability of the handler.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a relay device that can be used in a handler for testing electronic components. BACKGROUND

[0002] Electronic components (e.g., semiconductor elements, substrates, SSDs, etc.) produced are tested by a tester and classified into good products and defective products, and only the good products can be shipped.

[0003] Electronic components can be tested only when they are electrically connected to a tester, and at this time, a device that supports testing of electronic components by electrically connecting the electronic components to the tester is a handler for testing electronic components (hereinafter referred to as a "handler").

[0004] The handler is proposed and manufactured along with the development of new electronic components, and various follow-up developments for stabilization are being conducted.

[0005] Recently, there is a tendency to expand the popularity of a solid state drive (SSD) as a large electronic component mounted with a plurality of electronic elements.

[0006] Initially, when a small amount of solid state drives was produced due to a small demand for the solid state drives, the solid state drives were directly electrically connected to a tester by manual operation and the connection was released, but as the demand for the solid state drives explosively increased, the test support according to the manual operation was in trouble.

[0007] However, the solid state drive is different from the conventional electronic components in thickness, structure, weight, etc., and thus cannot directly use the conventional handler, and thus a handler that supports the test of a large electronic component such as the solid state drive is developed and Korean Patent Publication Nos. 10-2019-0050483 and 10-2019-0061291 are filed.

[0008] In general, the solid state drive can have various specifications according to the type of electronic elements mounted or the purpose thereof, and a handler for supporting the test of such various specifications of electronic elements is required. However, the handler is expensive and has a large size, and thus there are many constraints in terms of unit price and installation space, etc. Therefore, a technology is required to perform the test of electronic components having various specifications in one handler to reduce the cost and the required space.

[0009] In addition, in order to test each electronic component of a different specification, a part corresponding to the specification of the corresponding electronic component needs to be replaced, and even if the part does not need to be replaced, a pause time for supplying a new electronic component is required. Accordingly, the operation rate of the handler and the tester decreases, and a complicated labor loss occurs, and thus a handler that can minimize the pause time even when the handler is operated in a cycle or continuously is required.

[0010] On the other hand, in the case of a semiconductor element as a product of a small variety mass production in the past, a test tray capable of loading several hundreds or more semiconductor elements is provided, and a plurality of pickers directly grip the semiconductor elements to be inserted into the insert of the test tray. In such a system, since the position of the semiconductor element is secured in the insert, and the position of the semiconductor element is also secured during connection with the tester, even if the accuracy is slightly reduced during the process of placing the electronic component on the test tray, no problem occurs.

[0011] However, electronic components such as solid state hard disks having various electronic elements including semiconductor elements are in a trend of multi-product small quantity production due to the diversity of corresponding application devices, and there are also cases where various types of tests are required. However, since test sockets of all testers do not exist in the same position, in the case where a test tray needs to be provided as in a product of a small variety mass production, it is necessary to provide the manufacture of a high-priced test tray and a handler matching thereto according to the kind of electronic component or tester. Therefore, it is considered to connect the electronic component to the test socket in a state where the electronic component is directly gripped by a jig without using an additional test tray, but it is confirmed through the past research that this has a considerable problem.

[0012] For example, electronic components have various lengths and widths due to the diversity of the kind, and even the same kind of electronic components are difficult to be manufactured to be 100% uniform in size due to processing errors and the like. However, in the case of gripping the electronic component using a jig without considering such a case, loss occurs due to the failure to properly grip the electronic component, or the electronic component is broken due to excessive pressing force. Of course, even if the jig is adjusted to be able to well grip the electronic component, depending on which part of the electronic component is gripped and how strong the grip is, the electronic component is twisted or rotated together with the grip, and the like. In order to improve such a situation, it is necessary to be able to accurately control the driving part, and it is necessary to correspond to all electronic components, so the driving shaft also needs to be very long. Also, in order to prevent breakage or twisting, unnecessary rotation, it is necessary to use a high-priced motor capable of controlling the torque according to the situation. However, such a situation requires the increase of equipment and high production cost, so the productivity is reduced. In addition, in order to set the accurate grip position of the electronic component by the jig, and the like, automatic teaching needs to be performed to achieve precise contact, which is actually a part requiring enormous cost and technical effort.

[0013] Accordingly, the applicant of the present application proposed an invention of providing an adapter on a handler in the above-mentioned patent application No. 10-2020-0073725 (hereinafter referred to as "prior art technology") in order to enable a handler having versatility. The adapter is developed to serve as a carrier for supplying electronic components to a tester, and enables the handler to accommodate various electronic components of different sizes, thereby increasing versatility of the handler.

[0014] However, large electronic components such as solid state disks are bent in the production process, or the width of the substrate is slightly different due to tolerance, and thus there is a possibility that the electronic components are poorly gripped by the adapter or are poorly seated in the adapter depending on the situation. And, in this case, poor electrical connection between the electronic component and the tester is generated, which will be an important cause of reducing reliability of the handler.

[0015] And, when the adapter is deviated from its position or twisted due to various reasons (impact, etc.), the position of the electronic component seated in the adapter is also affected, and an error is generated in the movement of the adapter, and thus eventually causes poor electrical connection of the electronic component to the tester. SUMMARY

[0016] The present application is proposed to solve the technical problem of properly seating electronic components having various tolerances in an adapter, thereby enabling the electronic components to be accurately electrically connected to a tester thereafter.

[0017] And, the present application is proposed to solve the technical problem of properly seating even a bent electronic component in an adapter.

[0018] And, the present application is proposed to solve the technical problem of properly aligning and gripping an adapter.

[0019] A relay device for an electronic component test handler according to a first aspect of the present application includes a setting rack on which an electronic component is placed on an upper surface, a gripper for gripping both ends of a rear end portion of an adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack, a support for supporting or releasing support of an electronic component seated in the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack at a rear end portion of the adapter, and an opener for opening the adapter fixed by the gripper, wherein the gripper, the support, and the opener are provided to the setting rack.

[0020] The gripper includes a pair of fixed rods for gripping both left and right ends of the rear end portion of the adapter, and a driving source for gripping or releasing the adapter by reducing or increasing the interval between the pair of fixed rods, wherein the pair of fixed rods have position fixing pins capable of being inserted into position fixing grooves provided in the adapter on the surfaces facing each other.

[0021] The relay device for the handler for electronic component testing can further include a rotator for converting the posture of the adapter and the electronic component mounted on the adapter from a standing posture to a lying posture or from a lying posture to a standing posture by rotating the setting rack in a forward or reverse direction.

[0022] The relay device for the handler for electronic component testing can further include a suction device for fixing the front end portion of the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack by vacuum suction.

[0023] The support device includes a support member for supporting the electronic component.

[0024] The support member has at least one support protrusion which can be arranged in correspondence with at least one through groove of the adapter to support the electronic component.

[0025] The support device can further include a lifter which can lift and lower the support member such that the support member is positioned to support the electronic component when the support member is lifted and the support state of the electronic component is released when the support member is lowered.

[0026] A relay device for a handler for electronic component testing according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a setting rack on which an electronic component is placed, a gripper which grips both left and right ends of the rear end portion of an adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack, a support device which supports or releases the support state of the electronic component mounted on the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack, and an opener which opens the adapter fixed by the gripper, wherein the support device has a support protrusion which prevents the electronic component from being separated during the process of mounting or releasing the fixing of the electronic component on the adapter.

[0027] The support device further includes a support member which is provided to be capable of being lifted and lowered with respect to the setting rack, and an elastic member which elastically supports the support member, wherein the support protrusion is provided to the support member.

[0028] The support protrusion is provided with a plurality of support protrusions in the front and rear directions, thereby being capable of supporting electronic components having various lengths in the front and rear directions.

[0029] The support protrusions are provided in a plurality along the front and rear direction, thereby supporting electronic components having various lengths along the front and rear direction.

[0030] The support device can further include a lifter lifting the support protrusions, and a moving source enabling the support protrusions to finally support electronic components having various lengths along the front and rear direction by moving the lifter along the front and rear direction.

[0031] The setting rack can have a table protrusion having a table capable of supporting a specific portion of an electronic component, wherein the table protrusion is fixed.

[0032] A relay device for a handler for electronic component testing according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a setting rack on which an electronic component is placed, a gripper gripping both ends of a rear end portion of an adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack, a suction device vacuum-sucking a front end portion of the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack to fix the same, and an opener opening the adapter fixed by the gripper and the suction device, wherein the gripper, the suction device, and the opener are provided to the setting rack.

[0033] The gripper includes a pair of fixing rods for gripping both ends of the rear end portion of the adapter, and a driving source enabling the pair of fixing rods to grip or release the adapter by reducing or increasing the interval between the pair of fixing rods, wherein the pair of fixing rods have position fixing pins capable of being inserted into position fixing grooves provided in the adapter on surfaces facing each other.

[0034] The relay device for the handler for electronic component testing can further include a rotator converting the posture of the adapter placed on the setting rack and the electronic component seated on the adapter by rotating the setting rack in the forward and reverse directions by 90 degrees.

[0035] A driving method for a handler for electronic component testing according to the present invention includes an opening step of opening an adapter, a seating step of seating an electronic component on the adapter by moving a hand, a gripping step of gripping the electronic component by the adapter, and a releasing step of releasing the suction of the electronic component by the moving hand, wherein in the seating step, a plurality of positions at which the electronic component is supported by a support member at a rear end portion thereof are provided, and then the electronic component is lowered while being pressed by the moving hand, thereby enabling a bent electronic component to be in a flatly spread state, and then the gripping step is performed.

[0036] According to the present application, electronic parts in which processing tolerances or bending occur during manufacturing can be properly seated in adapters, and the arrangement of the adapters can be accurately formed, thereby preventing poor handling during the relaying of the electronic parts, and the electronic parts can be accurately electrically connected to a tester, thus improving the reliability of a handler. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 is a reference diagram for explaining an electrical connection structure between an electronic part and a tester.

[0038] Figure 2 is a conceptual structural diagram of a handler for electronic part testing for a relaying device of the handler for electronic part testing to which the present application can be applied.

[0039] Figure 3 is a conceptual structural diagram of a handler for electronic part testing for a relaying device of the handler for electronic part testing to which the present application can be applied. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the handler for electronic part testing.

[0040] Figure 4 is a conceptual plan view of a connection portion of the handler for electronic part testing to which the present application can be applied. Figure 2

[0041] is a combined perspective view of adapters formed in pairs by a relaying device of the handler for electronic part testing according to the present application. Figure 5

[0042] is an exploded perspective view of the adapters for the handler for electronic part testing. Figure 6 Figure 5 is a sectional view of a clamping lever of the adapters for the handler for electronic part testing to which the present application can be applied.

[0043] Figure 7 Figure 5 is a virtual sectional view of a guide groove of the clamping lever of the handler for electronic part testing to which the present application can be applied.

[0044] Figure 8 is an enlarged reference diagram for explaining the function of the guide groove of the handler for electronic part testing. Figure 7

[0045] Figure 9 is a reference diagram for explaining the relationship between the adapters and a test hand of the handler for electronic part testing. Figure 8

[0046] Figure 10 is a reference diagram for explaining a position setting protrusion of the adapters of the handler for electronic part testing. Figure 5

[0047] Figure 11 is a reference diagram for explaining a position setting protrusion of the adapters of the handler for electronic part testing. Figure 5

[0048] Figure 12 ​​​​​​is a combined perspective view of a relay device for a handler for electronic component testing according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0049] Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of a relay device for Figure 12

[0050] Figure 14 is a sectional view of a support for a relay device applied to Figure 12

[0051] Figure 15 is a reference diagram for explaining a rotation state of an electronic component.

[0052] Figures 16 to 22 is a reference diagram for explaining various modification examples of a support that can be applied to a relay device according to the present application.

[0053] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0054] 100: Relay device for handler for electronic component testing

[0055] 110: Setting rack 120: Gripper

[0056] 121: Fixing lever FP: Position fixing protrusion

[0057] 122: Drive source 130: Support

[0058] 131: Support member SM: Support protrusion

[0059] 132: Elevator 132a to 132d: Spring

[0060] 133: Moving source 140: Rotator

[0061] 150: Sucker 160: Opener DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] A preferred embodiment according to the present application is explained with reference to the drawings, and explanation for repeated or substantially identical configurations is omitted or reduced as much as possible for the sake of simplicity of explanation.

[0063] <Explanation of electrical connection for electronic component and tester>

[0064] A handler to which a relay device for electronic component testing according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "relay device") is applied is more suitably applied to a case where a part of a side of a contact terminal of an electronic component such as a solid state drive is inserted into a test slot of a tester.

[0065] For example, as Figure 1 ​​As shown, the tester TESTER has a structure equipped with a test slot S, through which the electronic component ED and the tester TESTER are electrically connected by inserting the contact terminal T side of the electronic component ED into the test slot S.

[0066] <Explanatory description of the general structure of the handler>

[0067] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the handler HR capable of using the relay device according to the present application, Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the handler HR capable of using the relay device according to the present application, Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the handler.

[0068] The handler HR according to the present embodiment includes a connection portion CP, a stacking portion SP, and a transfer device TA.

[0069] The connection portion CP takes out the electronic component ED to be tested from a customer tray to the tester TESTER, or recovers the electronic component ED that has completed testing from the tester TESTER to load it on a customer tray. The relay device according to the present application is equipped in the connection portion CP.

[0070] The stacking portion SP stores a customer tray that has been carried into the handler HR in order to provide the customer tray loaded with the electronic component ED to be tested to the connection portion CP, or recovers a customer tray loaded with the electronic component ED that has completed testing from the connection portion CP to store it before being carried out from the handler HR. Also, the stacking portion SP provides the customer tray stored loaded with the electronic component ED to be tested to the transfer device TA, or recovers the customer tray loaded with the electronic component ED that has completed testing from the transfer device TA.

[0071] The transfer device TA transfers the customer tray between the connection portion CP and the stacking portion SP. That is, the customer tray loaded with the electronic component ED to be tested is transferred from the stacking portion SP to the connection portion CP by the transfer device, and the customer tray loaded with the electronic component ED that has completed testing is transferred from the connection portion CP to the stacking portion SP by the transfer device TA.

[0072] <Explanatory description of the connection portion>

[0073] As shown in the conceptual plan view of Figure 4 The connection portion CP includes the relay device 100, a moving hand 200, a reciprocating mover 300, and a testing hand 400.

[0074] The relay device 100 relays the electronic components ED moved from the customer tray to the tester TESTER or vice versa. The adapter 500 corresponding to the electronic components to be tested can be seated in the relay device 100, and will be described in detail in a separate catalog. Here, the adapter 500 serves as a carrier for handling the electronic components ED, an example of which will be described in detail later.

[0075] The moving hand 200 moves the electronic components ED to be tested from the customer tray CT from the stacking portion SP by the transfer device TA and seats them in the adapter 500 of the relay device 100, or moves the electronic components ED that have completed testing from the adapter 500 of the relay device 100 to the customer tray CT. Such a moving hand 200 grips the electronic components ED lying down by vacuum suction, which is implemented to be equipped with a plurality of suction elements and selectively suctioned by one or more suction elements, so that it can grip all electronic components ED of various sizes by suction (refer to Korean Application No. 10-2020-0019380).

[0076] The reciprocating mover 300 moves the relay device 100 between the first operation area W1, which is an area where the moving hand 200 operates, and the second operation area W2, which is an area where the testing hand 400 operates. Since the relay device 100 reciprocates between the first operation area W1 and the second operation area W2 by such a reciprocating mover 300, the first operation area W1 and the second operation area W2 can be separated, and further, interference between the moving hand 200 and the testing hand 400 can be excluded.

[0077] The testing hand 400 grips the electronic components ED seated in the adapter 500 of the relay device 100 in the second operation area W2, moves them with the adapter 500 seated behind, inserts the parts of the electronic components seated in the adapter 500 on the side of the contact terminals T into the test slots S, and if the testing of the electronic components is completed, takes out the electronic components ED from the test slots S with the adapter 500 seated behind, and again seats the adapter 500 in the relay device 100.

[0078] That is, the electronic components ED to be tested are moved from the customer tray CT to the relay device 100 by the moving hand 200, and then moved from the relay device 100 to the tester TESTER by the testing hand 400, and the electronic components ED that have completed testing are returned to the customer tray CT through the reverse process.

[0079] <Explanation of the Adapter>

[0080] Figure 5 is a combined perspective view of the adapter 500 of the one form capable of constituting a pair with the relay device 100 according to the present application, Figure 6 is a perspective view of the adapter 500 of the one form capable of constituting a pair with the relay device 100 according to the present application, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter 500 of the one form capable of constituting a pair with the relay device 100 according to the present application.

[0081] The adapter 500 includes a pair of holding rods 511, 512, a setting frame 520, a pitch operator 530, elastic members 541 to 544, and pressurizing members 561, 562.

[0082] The pair of holding rods 511, 512 are equipped to face each other, and can move linearly in the left-right direction in which the interval between them becomes smaller or larger by being guided by guide bars 525, 526 of the setting frame 520. Therefore, when the interval between the pair of holding rods 511, 512 becomes smaller, the pair of holding rods 511, 512 are in a state of holding the rear end portion of the electronic component ED from both ends. Also, when the interval between the pair of holding rods 511, 512 becomes larger, the pair of holding rods 511, 512 are in an open state in which the holding of the electronic component ED is released. Therefore, if the electronic component ED is set in or taken out from the adapter 500 by moving the hand 200, it is necessary to make the pair of holding rods 511, 512 be in the open state in which the holding of the electronic component ED is released.

[0083] As clearly confirmed in the cross-sectional view of Figure 7 , the pair of holding rods 511, 512 form two operation grooves OG respectively in the faces facing each other.

[0084] The operation grooves OG are formed at the portions in contact with the holding rods 511, 512 and the pitch operator 530. Two operation grooves OG of the same holding rod 511, 512 are formed side by side in the front-rear direction respectively. Also, the operation grooves are formed to have inclined surfaces with the depth of the recess becoming shallower toward the rear

[0085] In addition, long guide grooves GG are formed in the front-rear direction on the upper sides of the pair of holding rods 511, 512 in the faces facing each other and the plurality of operation grooves OG. The guide grooves guide the movement of the electronic component ED in the process of moving the electronic component ED in the front-rear direction (for example, the process of moving the electronic component to be tested for electrical connection to the tester, or the process of taking the electronic component whose testing is completed from the tester and moving it to the adapter). Further, in the case where the pair of holding rods 511, 512 hold the rear end portion of the electronic component ED at both ends, the both ends of the electronic component ED are inserted into the guide grooves GG and are caught in the up-down direction, so the guide grooves GG also have the function of holding the electronic component ED.

[0086] As shown in the virtual cross-sectional view of Figure 8 , the guide grooves GG have, in the direction from the rear to the front, a horizontal maintenance interval HM, a width increase interval WG, a through interval TS, and an open interval OS in this order.

[0087] The upper and lower widths of the horizontal maintenance section HM are narrow to almost the same extent as the upper and lower thicknesses of the electronic component ED, thereby maintaining the flatness of the portion of the contact terminal T located at the rear end of the electronic component ED while appropriately clamping both ends of the electronic component ED.

[0088] The width-increasing section WG is formed to widen toward the front from the front end of the horizontal maintenance section HM. Accordingly, even in the process of setting the electronic component ED, even if a phenomenon of sagging due to gravity or sagging due to bending of the substrate itself occurs in a region other than the portion clamped by the moving hand 200, both ends of the electronic component ED can be appropriately clamped by the two clamping levers 511 and 512.

[0089] The through section TS is formed to have a predetermined width in the front-rear direction from the front end of the width-increasing section WG, corresponding to the width of the through groove TG through which the support protrusion of the support member 131 of the relay device 100 can pass in the front-rear direction. For reference, since the support member 131 can be raised and lowered, when raised, the upper end of the support protrusion SM passes through the through groove TG to become a state in which the electronic component ED in the process of setting can be supported, and when lowered, the support state of the electronic component ED is released. Of course, the support platform J for supporting the electronic component ED is formed in the support protrusion SM, and preferably, four or more are provided in a front-rear-left-right symmetrical state. Thus, when the support member 131 is provided to the relay device 100, even if the adapter 500 is slightly misaligned, the support protrusion SM, which is fixed in position, can prevent the occurrence of a bad condition in the setting of the electronic component ED.

[0090] The open section OS is formed to have at least the same width or a wider width than the front end of the width-increasing section WG. Such an open section OS can be further subdivided into a horizontal section OS1 at the rear and a descending section OS2 at the front, in which the width is further expanded in the downward direction, thereby appropriately accommodating an electronic component ED having a correspondingly larger bend.

[0091] In addition, the guide groove GG is open in the front-rear direction.

[0092] As described above, the guide groove GG having the form as shown in Figure 8 the enlarged view of Figure 9 Even in the case of bending of the electronic component ED downward, there is no problem in clamping the electronic component ED by the adapter 500, and the portion of the contact terminal T side at the rear end maintains its flatness, thereby facilitating the correct insertion of the portion of the contact terminal T side into the test slot S.

[0093] A setting frame 520 is provided to set up and support the clamping rods 511, 512, the spacing manipulator 530, the elastic parts 541 to 546, and the pressure parts 561, 562.

[0094] The frame 520 has two protrusions 521 on the left and right sides of its front end, respectively.

[0095] like Figure 10 As shown in the reference figure, the position setting protrusion 521 is associated with the position setting groove SG formed on the clamping surface of the test hand 400. That is, when the test hand 400 clamps the setting frame 520 and finally clamps the adapter 500, the position setting protrusion 521 is inserted into the position setting groove SG. Therefore, even if an external force is applied to the adapter 500 in the front-back direction while the test hand 400 is clamping the adapter 500, the position of the setting frame 520 can be fixed and maintained, thus ultimately fixing and maintaining the position of the adapter 500. Of course, according to the embodiment, a position setting groove can be formed in the setting frame 520 and a position setting protrusion can be formed in the test hand 400.

[0096] As shown in this embodiment, when multiple position setting protrusions 521 are arranged at predetermined intervals on both the left and right sides along the front-back direction, the front end of the adapter 500 held by the test hand 400 rotates and descends due to gravity, thereby preventing improper clamping of the electronic component ED. Here, refer to Figure 11 It can be seen that one of the two position setting protrusions 521 is a relatively short cylindrical shape, while the other is a slightly longer, roughly conical shape. Based on this example, during testing of the hand 400 gripping the adapter 500, the conical position setting protrusion 521 can help correct the position and posture of the adapter 500, while the cylindrical position setting protrusion 521 can help correctly maintain the set position, thereby eliminating defects in the manufacturing tolerances of the position setting protrusion 521.

[0097] Furthermore, in order to guide the linear movement of the pair of clamping rods 511 and 512 in the left-right direction, the frame 520 is provided with guide rods 525 and 526 that are elongated in the left-right direction. Of course, through holes TH are formed in the clamping rods 511 and 512 for the guide rods 525 and 526 to be inserted through.

[0098] And, a receiving groove AG for receiving the front end portion of the electronic component ED is formed at the front end portion of the setting frame 520. Here, the left and right widths of the receiving groove AG are larger than the left and right widths of the front end portion of the electronic component ED, so the front end portion of the electronic component ED is not held in a state of being mechanically pressed or pinched by the adapter 500, but in a state of being suspended in the air. Like the guide groove GG, this receiving groove AG is open in the front-rear direction. This means that the installation space of the adapter 500 in which the electronic component ED is installed is open in the front-rear direction. That is, the installation space including the guide groove GG and the receiving groove AG is open in the front-rear direction. Therefore, electronic components ED of various lengths can be passed through and installed in the guide groove GG and the receiving groove AG without being limited by their lengths.

[0099] And, at the rear end portion of the setting frame 520, a position fixing groove FG into which a position fixing pin of the relay device 100 can be inserted is formed on each of the left and right sides. Such a position fixing groove FG can be formed on each of the left and right sides in two or more. In addition, the position fixing groove FG and the position fixing pin are used to correct and fix the position of the adapter 500 held in the relay device 100. Therefore, when the relay device 100 is moved or rotated, the adapter 500 is prevented from being detached. Also, even if an external force is applied to the adapter 500 combined with the relay device 100 in the front-rear direction, the position fixing groove FG and the position fixing pin can maintain the position of the setting frame 520 itself.

[0100] And, the setting frame 520 further has an additional member 528 in addition to the pair of setting rods 523, 524 provided at the pair of holding rods 511, 512 at the rear portion.

[0101] The additional member 528 is connected between the rear ends of the pair of setting rods 523, 524, and prevents the interval between the setting rods 523, 524 from widening due to the pressing force of the elastic members 541 to 544. Such an additional member 528 has an exposure window W that can expose the contact terminal T of the electronic component ED.

[0102] The interval operator 530 is provided to the setting frame 520 and applies an operating force to the pair of holding rods 511, 512 to move the pair of holding rods 511, 512 in a direction in which the interval between them widens. To this end, the interval operator 530 is provided to the setting frame 520 in a manner that it can move in the front-rear direction, and includes an operating portion 531, a push plate 532, and a transmission rod 533.

[0103] The operation section 531 has two rolling rollers R on both sides corresponding to the operation groove OG, and the rolling rollers R form protruding parts protruding outward on both sides. Further, the rolling rollers R contact the faces constituting the operation groove OG with a part thereof inserted into the operation groove OG. That is, the both ends of the operation section 531 of the pitch operator 530 contact the clamping levers 511, 512 through the rolling rollers R. Therefore, when the pitch operator 530 moves to the rear, the more it moves, the shallower the recess depth of the operation groove OG with which the rolling rollers R contact the inclined faces, and therefore, the pitch operator 530 naturally applies an operation force to the two clamping levers 511, 512 in the direction in which the interval between the two clamping levers 511, 512 widens. Of course, when the pitch operator 530 moves to the front, the more it moves, the deeper the recess depth of the operation groove OG with which the rolling rollers R contact the inclined faces, and therefore, the operation force applied to the two clamping levers 511, 512 is naturally released.

[0104] The push plate 532 receives an external force applied to the pitch operator 530 in the forward direction through the opener 160 (refer to Figure 12 or Figure 13 ) of the relay device 100. That is, the opener 160 applies a force to the rear through the push plate 532, thereby supplying a driving force by which the pitch operator 530 can move to the rear, and the pitch operator 530 moves to the rear by the driving force of the opener 160.

[0105] The front end of the transfer rod 533 is fixedly coupled to the push plate 532, and the rear end is fixedly coupled to the operation section 531 side, and an external force of the opener 160 pushing the push plate 532 to the rear is transferred to the operation section 531.

[0106] The elastic members 541 to 544 are arranged so that one side thereof is connected to the setting frame 520 and the other side is connected to the clamping levers 511, 512. Therefore, the elastic members 541 to 544 apply elastic forces to the pair of clamping levers 511, 512 in the direction in which the interval between the pair of clamping levers 511, 512 narrows. According to this, when the operation force applied to the pair of clamping levers 511, 512 by the pitch operator 530 is removed, the pair of clamping levers 511, 512 move in the direction in which the interval between them narrows by the elastic forces of the elastic members 541 to 544, thereby clamping the electronic component ED. From this viewpoint, the elastic members 541 to 544 function as a driving member that generates and maintains a pressing force by which the pair of clamping levers 511, 512 can clamp the electronic component ED, and further function as a closure adapter 500. Of course, as the driving member, a motor or an air cylinder or the like can be considered, but in order to correspond to all widths of the electronic component ED within a range of machining errors without additional settings, it is most preferable that the driving member be constituted by elastic members such as springs.

[0107] The elastic members 541 to 544 determine the interval between the pair of holding rods 511, 512 according to the degree of compression thereof. In addition, this fact means that the elastic members 541 to 544 also function as variable elements that change the holding width (the width by which the pair of holding rods 511, 512 are spaced apart in order to hold the electronic component) between the pair of holding rods 511, 512. That is, according to the degree of compression of the elastic members 541 to 544, the holding rods 511, 512 can hold electronic components ED having various widths within a manufacturing tolerance.

[0108] When the external force by the opener 160 is removed, in order to smoothly restore the pitch operator 530 to the front, the pressing members 561, 562 apply elastic force to the pitch operator 530 in the front direction. This pressing of the pitch operator 530 in the front direction by the pressing members 561, 562 also contributes to strengthening the holding force of the elastic members 541 to 544 that apply elastic force to the pair of holding rods 511, 512 in the direction in which they are narrowed toward each other.

[0109] As a reference, in addition to the holding rods 511, 512, two through grooves TG are formed on both sides of the setting frame 520. That is, two through grooves TG in the rear, which are a part of the through grooves TG, are formed at the holding rods 511, 512, and two through grooves TG in the front, which are another part of the through grooves TG, are formed at the setting frame 520.

[0110] <Explanation of Relay Device>

[0111] Figure 12 is a combined perspective view of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present application, Figure 13 is a perspective view of Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the relay device of

[0112] The relay device 100 includes a setting stand 110, a holder 120, a supporter 130, a rotator 140, a suction device 150, an opener 160, and various recognition sensors.

[0113] The setting stand 110 is equipped for setting the holder 120, the supporter 130, the suction device 150, the opener 160, and the various recognition sensors. The adapter 500 is placed on the upper surface of the setting stand 110.

[0114] The holder 120 holds both ends of the rear end portion of the adapter 500 placed on the upper surface of the setting stand 110. To this end, the holder 120 includes a pair of fixed rods 121 and a driving source 122.

[0115] The pair of fixed rods 121 hold both ends of the rear end portion of the adapter 500. Such a pair of fixed rods 121 are respectively located on opposite faces and have position fixing pins FP that can be inserted into position fixing grooves FG.

[0116] The driving source 122 narrows or widens the interval between the pair of fixed rods 121, thereby clamping or unclamping the adapter 500.

[0117] The supporter 130 is equipped for supporting the rear end portion of the electronic component ED seated on the adapter 500, and includes Figure 14 a support member 131 and a lifter 132.

[0118] The support member 131 has four support protrusions SM divided into front, rear, left and right and protruding upward, and support stages J for supporting the adapter 500 are formed in the support protrusions SM, respectively. In addition, when the support member 131 is raised by the lifter 132, the support stages J are in a position capable of supporting the electronic component ED, and when lowered, the support of the electronic component ED is released. At this time, the support protrusions SM on the rear side pass through the through grooves TG and are raised. In this way, the support member 131 is equipped in the relay device 100, so that even if the adapter 500 is slightly misaligned, mounting failure of the electronic component ED during seating on the adapter can be prevented by the position-fixed support protrusions SM. Of course, the support protrusions SM and the through grooves TG are appropriately arranged in a required number of at least one.

[0119] For reference, the faces of the upper end portions of the support protrusions SM, which are opposite to each other in the left-right direction, have a slope in which the width thereof becomes wider as it goes upward, thereby guiding the left and right ends of the electronic component ED descending from the upper side to the lower side, so that the electronic component ED can be properly seated on the adapter 500.

[0120] The rotator 140 rotates the setting rack 110 forward and backward by 90 degrees, thereby converting the adapter 500 placed on the setting rack 110 and the electronic component seated on the adapter 500 from a horizontal posture to a vertical state, or vice versa. At this time, when the adapter 500 is converted to a horizontal state, the operation by the moving hand 200 is performed, and when the adapter 500 is converted to a vertical state, the operation by the testing hand 400 is performed.

[0121] As can be seen from Figure 1 , when the electronic component ED is in a vertical state (standing state), the contact terminal T portion located at the rear end is inserted into the test slot S. In contrast, as can be seen from Figure 15 , the electronic component ED loaded on the adapter 500 seated on the relay device 100 is in a horizontal state (lying state). Therefore, when the electronic component ED is electrically connected to the tester TESTER, it is necessary to convert the electronic component ED in a horizontal state as shown in (a) of Figure 15 to a vertical state as shown in (b) of Figure 15and for the electronic component ED that has completed the test, only the standing posture is converted into the lying posture, and the recovery to the customer tray CT is enabled. This posture conversion is performed by the rotator T. Therefore, the rotator 140 rotates the electronic component ED in the counterclockwise direction with the straight line that passes through the contact terminal T portion and the front end portion of the electronic component ED in the front-rear direction as the rotation axis RX.

[0122] Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the contact terminal T of the electronic component ED disposed in the relay device 100 faces upward, but the contact terminal T of the electronic component ED is disposed downward or on the test slot S side by the arrangement of the electronic component ED, the arrangement of the electronic terminal, or the like due to the manufacturer or the like, and the like, and the electronic component ED is disposed in the posture shown in (c) of FIG. 4. Figure 15 As shown in (c) of FIG. 4, the rotator 140 rotates the electronic component ED in the opposite direction, and thus the standing posture can be converted from the lying posture. That is, in one aspect of the present application, in order to convert the electronic component ED from the lying posture to the standing posture, the rotator 140 can rotate the adapter 500 by 90 degrees in the counterclockwise or clockwise direction.

[0123] When the test slot S is long in the left-right direction, the electronic component ED does not need to be vertically erected, and thus the rotator 140 is an optional component.

[0124] The suction device 150 is provided to fix the front end portion of the adapter 500 for vacuum suction and is composed of four suction elements 151 arranged in the front-rear-left-right directions. Thus, the front end portion of the adapter 500 can be fixed by the suction device 150, and thus the position of the adapter 500 is properly set during the posture conversion process or the like, and thus malfunctions do not occur in the operation of the moving hand 200 or the test hand 400.

[0125] For example, when the operation impact is applied to the adapter 500 due to various manufacturing tolerances or the like in the case where only the rear end portion of the adapter 500 is fixed by the gripper 120, the front end portion of the adapter 500 can be misaligned to the left or right direction, and in this case, malfunctions can occur in the disposition process where the electronic component ED is gripped or released by the moving hand 200.

[0126] Also, for example, when the adapter 500 is vertically erected due to various manufacturing tolerances and the like in a state where only the rear end portion of the adapter 500 is fixed by the gripper 120, the rear end portion can be inclined downward due to the gravity applied to the rear end portion, and thus the subsequent gripping of the adapter 500 by the test hand 400 can be adversely affected. Also, even when the posture of the adapter 500, which is misaligned due to the gravity, is converted to a lying state in the reverse process, the misaligned posture is maintained, and thus the subsequent gripping of the electronic component ED by the moving hand 200 can be adversely affected. Therefore, the adsorber 150 functions together with the gripper 120 to set and maintain the position of the electronic component (adapter).

[0127] Since the adsorber 150 adsorbs the lower surface of the adapter 500, the subsequent gripping of the adapter 500 by the test hand 400 or the reverse driving thereof is not interfered with.

[0128] Also, the adsorber 150 also functions as an alignment element when the adapter 500 is gripped. That is, before the gripper 120 grips the rear end portion of the adapter 500, the front end portion of the adapter 500 is first adsorbed by the adsorber 150 to first align the adapter 500, and then the rear end portion of the adapter 500 is secondly gripped and fixed by the gripper 120 to achieve the gripping of the adapter 500 by the relay device 100. Therefore, the adapter 500 can be gripped by the relay device 100 while maintaining a precise alignment state.

[0129] Also, the adsorber 150 also functions when the test hand 400 grips the adapter 500 from the relay device 100 and takes it away.

[0130] For example, although the test hand 400 is required to grip the adapter 500 positioned at the relay device 100 at a correct position, misalignment can occur due to various errors. In this case, there is a concern that any one of the gripper 120, the relay device 100, and the adapter 500 can be damaged, and misalignment can occur in the entire operation due to the erroneous gripping. However, the adsorption portion of the adsorption element 151 constituting the adsorber 150 is a soft material similar to rubber, and also employs a vacuum adsorption method, and thus a certain degree of fluidity is imparted to the adapter 500. Therefore, even if the gripping by the gripper 120 is released, the adapter 500 can remain in the original position, and the fluidity of the adapter 500 in the state of being adsorbed by the adsorption element 151 can be offset to a certain degree by the operation error caused by the gripping of the adapter 500 by the test hand 400.

[0131] The adsorber 150 described above can be provided with only one adsorption element 151, but preferably, two to four or more are provided.

[0132] The opener 160 is equipped in order to open the adapter 500 fixed by the holder 120 and the suction device 150, and includes a pressurizing rod 161 and a pressurizing source 162.

[0133] The pressurizing rod 161 is equipped in order to come into contact with the push plate 532 and apply a pressurizing force to the rear side.

[0134] The pressurizing source 162 is equipped in order to move the pressurizing rod 161 by a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction, and when the pressurizing rod 161 moves to the rear side, a pressurizing force to the rear side is applied to the push plate 532, thereby opening the adapter 500, and when the pressurizing rod 161 moves to the front side, the pressurizing force applied to the push plate 532 is released, thereby becoming a state in which the adapter 500 holds the electronic component ED.

[0135] Various recognition sensors are equipped in order to recognize the adapter 500 or the various electronic components ED.

[0136] For example, one recognition sensor can be a recognition sensor for sensing whether the installation of the adapter 500 is poor.

[0137] For example, one recognition sensor can be a recognition sensor for sensing whether the adapter 500 is opened or not.

[0138] For example, one recognition sensor can be a recognition sensor for sensing whether the posture of the adapter 500 is transformed or not.

[0139] For example, one recognition sensor can be a recognition sensor for sensing whether an electronic component ED called U.2 is installed in the adapter 500.

[0140] For example, one recognition sensor can be a recognition sensor for sensing whether an electronic component ED called M.2 is installed in the adapter 500.

[0141] Next, the operation of the handler HR applied to the related components of the relay device 100 as described above will be described.

[0142] With the replacement of the initial or the electronic component ED to be tested, the operator installs the adapter 500 conforming to the specifications of the electronic component ED to be tested to the relay device 100 located at the first operation area Wl. Thereafter, when the mobile hand 200 installs the electronic component ED taken out from the customer tray CT to the adapter 500, the opener 160 pushes the spacing operator 530 backward. At this time, the setting frame 520 is fixed to the relay device 100 by the position fixing slot FG, so that the pressing force of the opener 160 only moves the spacing operator 530 backward. In this process, the roller R of the operation portion 531 moves backward while contacting the inclined surface of the operation slot OG of the clamping lever 511, 512, and at the same time, the clamping lever 511, 512 is pressed in the left and right directions, so that the interval between the two clamping levers 511, 512 is widened and the adapter 500 is opened. In addition, the support member 131 of the relay device 100 is raised in a state in which the support protrusion SM can support the electronic component ED. Therefore, the rear end portion of the electronic component ED can be supported by the support table J located at four positions of the support member 131.

[0143] When the opening of the adapter 500 is completed, the mobile hand 200 that sucks and clamps the upper surface of the electronic component ED is lowered to a height at which the rear end portion of the electronic component ED is placed on the support table J. This lowering process is also a process in which the curved rear end portion of the electronic component ED is converted into a flat state. That is, the lowering of the electronic component ED by the mobile hand 200 can be performed to a position at which the left and right ends of the rear end portion of the electronic component ED are properly inserted into the guide slot GG of the clamping member 511, 512 and are flatly spread. That is, the mobile hand 200 applies a pressing force to the curved electronic component ED to spread the rear end portion of the electronic component ED flatly. Therefore, even if the electronic component ED is curved upwardly protruding by a predetermined degree, the electronic component ED can be properly clamped by the clamping lever 511, 512 through the guide slot GG. Here, since the rear end portion of the electronic component ED is supported by the support table J at four positions in total at the front, rear, left, and right sides, respectively, the rear end portion of the electronic component ED is spread flatly by the pressing force applied downwardly by the mobile hand 200, and for this reason, the position at which the mobile hand 200 sucks and clamps needs to be located between the four support points (preferably, at a point at which two diagonal lines connecting two support points in a diagonal direction intersect each other). Therefore, it is preferable that the support protrusion SM of the support member 131 has at least four.

[0144] Next, in a state where the rear end portion of the electronic component ED is supported by the support table J, the external force applied to the pitch operator 530 is removed. At this time, the interval between the two clamping levers 511, 512 is narrowed by the elastic force of the elastic members 541 to 544, and the pitch operator 530 is also pushed forward. In this process, the left and right end portions of the electronic component ED are inserted into the guide grooves GG of the clamping levers 511, 512, thereby completing the clamping of the electronic component ED by the adapter 500. At this time, due to the shape of the guide grooves GG, the rear end portion of the electronic component ED (more specifically, the portion having the contact terminals) can be kept flat. Further, even if there is a larger tolerance in the left and right widths of the electronic component ED, since the width of the accommodation groove AG is wide enough, the rear end portion of the electronic component ED does not get caught on the wall constituting the accommodation groove AG.

[0145] When the clamping of the electronic component ED by the clamping levers 511, 512 is completed, the moving hand 200 moves to another position after releasing the clamping of the electronic component.

[0146] Then, the adapter 500 disposed in the relay device 100 is vertically erected. At this time, the lower end of the vertically erected electronic component ED is supported by the wall of the guide groove GG and the support table J, and further, its mounted state is appropriately maintained by the pressing force of the two clamping levers 511, 512 and the bending recovery force that can occur depending on the situation, by being clamped in the state of the guide groove GG, and the like. In addition, the moving hand 200 moves to another position after releasing the clamping of the electronic component ED, and then the relay device 100 is moved from the first operation area Wl to the second operation area W2 by the reciprocating mover 300. The adapter 500 disposed in the relay device 100 moved to the second operation area W2 is clamped by the testing hand 400 in a vertical state, and in this process, the position setting protrusion 521 is inserted into the position setting groove SG. Accordingly, the adapter 500 clamped by the testing hand 400 is positioned at the correct set position. At the same time, the position of the setting frame 520 can also be fixed and maintained due to the external force applied to the adapter 500 thereafter, and thus the adapter 500 can also finally fix and maintain its position.

[0147] Next, if the testing hand 400 moves the adapter 500 toward the tester TESTER side, thereby accurately setting the position between the adapter 500 and the test slot S, the opening element of the testing hand 400 slightly pushes the pitch operator 530 to slightly widen the interval between the two clamping levers 511, 512, and in this state, the connecting element of the testing hand 400 pushes the electronic component ED toward the test slot S, thereby inserting the rear end portion where the contact terminals T of the electronic component ED are located into the test slot S.

[0148] Additionally, at the end of the test, the electronic component ED is held in place by the adapter 500, and then removed from the test slot S by the test hand 400. The removed electronic component ED is moved through the reverse process and finally loaded onto the customer tray CT.

[0149] <First variation of the support>

[0150] According to the first variation, such as Figure 16 As shown, the support 130 can be elastically supported on the mounting frame 110. (Refer to...) Figure 16 The support 130 includes a support member 131 and four springs 132a to 132d.

[0151] The support member 131 is equipped to be raised and lowered relative to the mounting bracket 110 and has six support protrusions SM that protrude forward. Of course, the adapter 500 is equipped with a passage area that allows the support protrusions SM to pass upward, and the support protrusions SM support the electronic component ED through the bottom surface of the adapter 500.

[0152] For example, during the placement and securing of the electronic component ED to the adapter 500 or the release of the securing of the electronic component ED, the gripper 120 may be unable to hold both ends of the electronic component ED, thereby releasing the support for the electronic component ED, and the electronic component ED may detach from its predetermined position. In this case, the support protrusion SM supports the electronic component ED, so that the electronic component ED can be properly positioned in the predetermined position. Here, "predetermined position" refers to the position where the gripper 120 can properly hold the electronic component ED, or the position where the movable hand 200 can properly attract and hold or contact the holding electronic component ED.

[0153] The aforementioned support protrusions SM do not necessarily need to be six; a number neatly arranged along the front-to-back direction is sufficient. This is because the adapter 500 needs to accommodate electronic components ED of various lengths along the front-to-back direction, therefore the support protrusions SM also need to have a number capable of supporting electronic components ED of various lengths along the front-to-back direction.

[0154] Furthermore, the support protrusion SM can be composed of an upper contact portion ① and a lower connecting portion ②.

[0155] The upper contact portion ① contacts the electronic component ED on the upper side, and the upper end of the connecting portion ② connects with the contact portion ① on the lower side of the contact portion ①.

[0156] Furthermore, preferably, the contact portion ① is formed of a material with a lower hardness than the bonding portion ② to prevent damage to the supported electronic component ED. For example, to maintain strength, the bonding portion ② is preferably made of metal, while the contact portion ① can be made of a material with a lower hardness than metal, such as silicon, rubber, or synthetic resin.

[0157] The four springs 132a to 132d are provided as elastic members that elastically support the support member 131 with respect to the stand 110.

[0158] As a reference, the stand 110 has a table protrusion 111 that forms a table J capable of supporting the electronic component ED at a rear end portion thereof.

[0159] The position of the table protrusion 111 is selected to support the portion of the contact terminal T side at the rear end of the electronic component ED. Of course, the table protrusion 111 does not necessarily have to be implemented to support the portion of the contact terminal T side, and can be appropriately formed at any position as long as it is a position of a specific portion having a relatively large hardness that does not cause damage to the electronic component ED. Generally, the electronic component ED such as a solid state drive is a collection of electronic elements such as semiconductor chips, and the electronic elements can easily be damaged even by a small impact or scratch. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the portion of the contact terminal T side that is the most stable portion against impact is implemented to be supported by the table protrusion 111, and is also implemented to prevent the electronic component ED from being accidentally detached toward the rear. Unlike the support protrusion SM, such a table protrusion 111 is formed to be fixedly formed so as to prevent lifting or horizontal movement. However, it is preferable that the table protrusion 111 can also be considered to be equipped to the adapter 500.

[0160] Likewise, the stand 110 has a front end protrusion 112 that can support the portion of the electronic component ED at the front end portion in the front-rear direction at a front end portion thereof. Such a front end protrusion 112 is also formed to be fixed so as to prevent lifting or horizontal movement. In the present embodiment, the front end protrusion 112 is equipped to a position where a mechanical round pad portion M (see FIG. 6) having a semicircular slot shape that can support the portion of the electronic component ED at the front end portion is provided, but is not limited thereto. Figure 15 ) of the electronic component ED.

[0161] That is, since the table protrusion 111 and the front end protrusion 112 are fixed, the contact impact with the electronic component ED can be large, and therefore in the present embodiment, the table protrusion 111 and the front end protrusion 112 are disposed at the portion of the contact terminal T side and the mechanical round pad portion M, which are portions where no electronic elements are disposed. However, depending on the implementation, as long as it is a portion that does not cause damage to the electronic component ED, it can be considered that the table protrusion 111 and the front end protrusion 112 or a support unit similar thereto are provided corresponding to the portion.

[0162] Next, the operation of the present modification example will be described.

[0163] When the moving hand 200 moves the electronic component ED to the adapter 500, the electronic component ED is supported by the table protrusion 111 and the support protrusion SM. Figure 17(a), (b), (c), (d) of FIG. 11 illustrate the state of being supported by the stage protrusions 111 and the support protrusions SM in order from the electronic component ED of the shortest length to the electronic component ED of the longest length. Here, Figure 17 (d) of FIG. 11 illustrates the state of the front and back ends of the electronic component ED of the longest length being supported by the stage protrusions 111 and the front end protrusions 112. For reference, in Figure 17 The illustration of the adapter 500 is omitted in FIG. 12.

[0164] Meanwhile, the upper end of the support protrusion SM is in a state of being slightly raised by the springs 132a to 132d, and thus, as illustrated in the conceptual reference diagram of FIG. 13, is in a state of being slightly raised from the center C of the guide groove GG. However, if the interval between the clamping levers 511 and 512 becomes narrow, the both ends of the electronic component ED are guided by the guide groove GG to lower the electronic component ED, and thus, the both ends of the electronic component ED can be properly clamped by the clamping levers 511 and 512. At this time, the springs 132a to 132d cannot fundamentally prevent the lowering of the electronic component ED, but are elastically compressed. Figure 18

[0165] On the contrary, in the case where the clamping levers 511 and 512 are released from clamping, the electronic component ED is slightly raised by the elastic force of the springs 132a to 132d, and at this time, the both ends of the electronic component ED are guided by the guide groove GG to raise the electronic component ED. Thus, the electronic component ED is raised while the elastic force of the springs 132a to 132d is continuously suppressed, and when the raising is completed, the elastic force of the springs 132a to 132d no longer acts. Thus, even during the process of opening the clamping levers 511 and 512, the ejection of the electronic component ED by the elastic force of the springs 132a to 132d does not occur. When the raising of the electronic component ED is completed, the moving hand 200 clamps the electronic component ED and moves the electronic component ED to the customer tray CT.

[0166] According to the present modified example, the support protrusions SM are elastically supported by the springs 132a to 132d to prevent damage to the electronic component ED. However, according to the implementation, if there is a reason that the mounting process of the electronic component ED needs to be performed very precisely, etc., the case where the support protrusions SM are fixed without being raised and lowered can also be sufficiently considered.

[0167] Also, in the present modified example, the support member 131 has the support protrusions SM and is elastically supported by the springs 132a to 132d, but according to the implementation, the case where the support protrusions SM are elastically supported by elastic members, respectively, can also be sufficiently considered.

[0168] <Second Modified Example of the Supporter>

[0169] In the second modified example, as illustrated in Figure 19 ​In the conceptual side view shown in FIG. 1, one of the supports 130 is equipped with a support protrusion SM, and a plurality of supports 130 are equipped side by side in the front-rear direction in the setting rack 110. As a reference, in FIG. 1, the remaining support protrusions SM, which are omitted for convenience, are in a lowered state. Figure 19 The adapter 500 is omitted in FIG. 1.

[0170] Each of the supports 130 is provided in the setting rack 110, supports the electronic component ED during the process of mounting and fixing the electronic component ED to the adapter 500 or releasing the fixing of the electronic component ED, and thereby prevents the electronic component ED from falling downward. For this purpose, the support 130 includes the support protrusion SM and the lifter 132, respectively.

[0171] All of the support protrusions SM are equipped so as to be able to be lifted, support the electronic component ED when lifted, and release the support of the electronic component ED when lowered.

[0172] All of the lifters 132 respectively lift the corresponding support protrusions SM and are fixed to the setting rack 110.

[0173] The reason for equipping a plurality of supports 130 is to be able to support electronic components ED having various lengths. Therefore, a specific lifter 132 is lifted in correspondence with the length of the electronic component ED so that the contact terminal T side portion located at the rear end portion of the electronic component ED is supported by the table protrusion 111, and the mechanical round pad portion M located at the front end portion of the electronic component ED is supported by the support protrusion SM. Of course, in the present embodiment, the front end protrusion 112 is also equipped at the front end portion of the setting rack 110.

[0174] Figure 20 (a) to (e) of FIG. 1 show the state in which the support 130 in the present modification supports electronic components ED having various lengths. As a reference, preferably, in FIG. 1, the remaining support protrusions SM, which are omitted for convenience in addition to the support protrusion SM that supports the electronic component ED, are in a lowered state. Figure 20

[0175] Also, in the present modification, it is implemented so as to support the contact terminal T side portion and the mechanical round pad portion M of the electronic component ED, which are portions that are not sensitive, by the table protrusion 111 and the support 130, but as long as it is a portion in which there is no concern of damage, it is possible to consider that the support 130 is provided in correspondence with the corresponding portion.

[0176] Here, the reason why the support protrusion SM supports the mechanical round pad D is that, in the case where an electronic chip such as a semiconductor element exists at the back surface of the electronic component ED, it is difficult to support in a horizontal state.

[0177] ​For example, the electronic component ED has various widths and lengths, and in addition, a plurality of electronic elements having different heights can be arranged on the plane and the back surface. Therefore, if the support protrusion SM supports a portion having an electronic element, the electronic component ED in a lying state tilts to one side. In this case, a situation can occur in which the adapter 500 cannot properly hold the electronic component ED, and a situation can occur in which the picker of the transfer hand 200 cannot properly hold the electronic component ED. For this reason, it is preferable that the contact terminal T side portion and the mechanical round pad portion M, which are portions where no electronic element is arranged, be supported. Therefore, in the present modification example, the contact terminal T side portion is supported by the stage J of the stage protrusion 111, and the mechanical round pad portion M is supported by the support protrusion SM or the front end protrusion 112.

[0178] <Third Modification Example of the Supporter>

[0179] According to the present modification example, as shown in a conceptual side view of FIG. 17, the supporter 130 further has a movement source 133 for moving the lifter 132. Figure 21

[0180] Preferably, the movement source 133 is implemented in a structure in which a motor is applied. In addition, the lifter 132 in a state in which the support protrusion SM is lowered can be moved in the front-rear direction by the movement source 133, and thus can be arranged at a plurality of positions. Therefore, the support protrusion SM, which is capable of supporting only one portion of the electronic component ED, can also support the front end portion of the electronic component ED having various lengths in the front-rear direction. Of course, the rack 110 is formed with a plurality of lifting holes UD capable of lifting the support protrusion SM in the front-rear direction.

[0181] Figure 22 (a) and (b) of FIG. 18 illustrate a case in which the supporter 130 according to the present modification example supports electronic components ED having different lengths from each other.

[0182] Meanwhile, in the case of the above-described second and third modification examples, it is necessary to confirm whether the support protrusion SM is in an appropriately raised state. Therefore, it can be considered that the transfer hand 200 is equipped with a camera which moves together with the picker. The camera first performs photographing before the transfer hand 200 mounts the electronic component ED to the adapter 500. In addition, the control unit checks whether the support protrusion SM is in a state of being appropriately raised to a desired position by an image photographed by the camera, and then controls to perform an operation of placing the electronic component ED to the adapter 500 by the transfer hand 200 only in the case in which the support protrusion SM is in an appropriately raised state. Of course, if the support protrusion SM is not in an appropriately raised state, the control unit generates a jam, and informs the manager of the situation. Of course, the camera can be fixedly arranged above the supporter 130.

[0183] ​As described above, the specific description of the present application is described with reference to the embodiments and modifications with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the above-described embodiments are described only as examples of the preferred examples of the present application. Therefore, the present application should not be understood as being limited to the above-described examples, and the scope of the right of the present application should be understood as the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Claims

1. A relay device for a handler for electronic component testing, comprising: a setting rack on which an adapter in which an electronic component is seated is placed on an upper surface; a gripper which grips both left and right ends of a rear end portion of the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack; a supporter which supports or releases support of the electronic component seated on the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack; and an opener which opens the adapter fixed by the gripper to seat the electronic component on the adapter, wherein the gripper, the supporter, and the opener are provided to the setting rack, the supporter includes a support member for supporting the electronic component, the support member has at least one support protrusion which is arranged in correspondence with at least one through groove of the adapter to support the electronic component.

2. A relay device for a handler for electronic component testing, comprising: a setting rack on which an adapter in which an electronic component is seated is placed on an upper surface; a gripper which grips both left and right ends of a rear end portion of the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack; a supporter which supports or releases support of the electronic component seated on the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack; and an opener which opens the adapter fixed by the gripper to seat the electronic component on the adapter, wherein the supporter has a support protrusion which prevents the electronic component from being detached during a process in which the electronic component is seated and fixed on the adapter or the fixing of the electronic component is released, the support protrusion is arranged in correspondence with at least one through groove of the adapter to support the electronic component.

3. The relay device for a handler for electronic component testing according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the gripper includes: a pair of fixing rods for gripping both left and right ends of a rear end portion of the adapter; and a drive source which causes the pair of fixing rods to grip or release the grip of the adapter by reducing or increasing a gap between the pair of fixing rods, wherein the pair of fixing rods have a position fixing pin which can be inserted into a position fixing groove provided in the adapter on a surface facing each other.

4. The relay device for a handler for electronic component testing according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: a rotator which converts a posture of the adapter placed on the setting rack and the electronic component seated on the adapter from a standing state to a lying state or from a lying state to a standing state by rotating the setting rack in a forward or reverse direction.

5. The relay device for a handler for electronic component testing according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: a suction device which fixes the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack by vacuum suction of a front end portion of the adapter.

6. The relay device for a handler for electronic component testing according to claim 1, wherein the supporter further includes: a lifter which lifts the support member so that the support member is located at a position capable of supporting the electronic component when the support member is lifted and releases the support state of the electronic component when the support member is lowered.

7. The relay device for a handler for electronic component testing according to claim 2, wherein the supporter further includes: ​ ​ a support member equipped to be able to be raised and lowered with respect to the setting rack; and a resilient member that elastically supports the support member, the support protrusion is equipped to the support member.

8. The relay device for a handler for electronic component testing according to claim 2, wherein the support protrusion is equipped with a plurality of in the front-rear direction, thereby being able to support electronic components having various lengths in the front-rear direction.

9. The relay device for a handler for electronic component testing according to claim 2, wherein the support protrusion is equipped with a plurality of in the front-rear direction, thereby being able to support electronic components having various lengths in the front-rear direction.

10. The relay device for a handler for electronic component testing according to claim 2, wherein the support member further includes: a lifter that lifts the support protrusion; and a moving source that enables the support protrusion to finally support electronic components having various lengths in the front-rear direction by moving the lifter in the front-rear direction.

11. The relay device for a handler for electronic component testing according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the setting rack has a table protrusion with a table that is able to support a specific portion of an electronic component, the table protrusion is fixed.

12. An operation method of a relay device for a handler for electronic component testing, the relay device being the relay device for a handler for electronic component testing according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising: an opening step of opening an adapter; a placing step of placing an electronic component in the adapter by a moving hand; a clamping step of clamping the electronic component by the adapter; and a releasing step of releasing the suction of the moving hand to the electronic component, in the placing step, in a state of supporting the electronic component at a plurality of positions of a rear end portion by a support member, the electronic component is then lowered while being pressed by the moving hand, thereby making the bent electronic component be in a state of being flatly spread, and then the clamping step is executed. ​

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